Today,
@WHO cancelled a planned mission to Al-Awda hospital and the central drug store in northern
#Gaza for the fourth time since 26 Dec because we did not receive deconfliction and safety guarantees.
The mission planned to move urgently needed medical supplies to sustain the operations of five hospitals in the north, including Al-Awda.
It has now been 12 days since we were last able to reach northern Gaza.
Heavy bombardment, movement restrictions, and interrupted communications are making it nearly impossible to deliver medical supplies regularly and safely across Gaza, particularly in the north. Most hospitals are severely short-staffed, as health workers have left due to evacuation orders or insecurity. Meanwhile, patients' access to health facilities is impeded by perilous conditions.
Without adequate health care, the suffering in Gaza is growing each hour.
Dr. Mohamed Obied, Orthopedic Consultant at Al-Awda Hospital explains the challenges amputees face ⬇️
🔹Injured people are often only able to reach doctors days or weeks after they’ve been hurt, sometimes with severe infections, reducing the possibility of saving their limbs.
🔹 Health facilities don’t have the specialised health workers medicines or equipment these injuries require.
🔹Doctors face the hard choice to perform above-knee rather than below-knee amputations. These pose rehabilitation challenges, and can lead to poor life-quality in the future.
Amputees need physiotherapy and rehabilitation, proper nursing care, along with nutritious food and mental health support - all currently unavailable.
WHO reiterates its calls for:
1⃣Sustained humanitarian access across Gaza
2⃣Active protection of civilians and health care
Ceasefire. Now.